"Coffee pot, France, 19th century"

Coffee pot, France, 19th century, 665 g, 950 purity, 22.5 cm. Material, technique: silver, bone; casting, stamping, chasing, soldering. Place of origin: France. Date of creation: 19th century. Weight - 665 grams of silver with 950 purity. The coffee pot has the shape of an ancient Nestorid - a vessel with an ovoid body, distinctly defined shoulders, and a not very high cylindrical neck, mounted on a short foot that transitions into a round base. The spout of the coffee pot is designed in the form of a voluminous bird's head on a long neck. The hoop-shaped handle with a horizontal upper rail is made of bone, which is quite practical for serving hot beverages. The lower part of the body of the piece is decorated with a chased pattern that consists of a dense series of elongated petals with a semicircular end. The upper part of the body is adorned with a finely outlined narrow band featuring a floral garland against a backdrop of vertical strokes. The shoulders of the coffee pot are emphasized by a rim with a fine rhythmic pattern. A thin band of Ionic motifs decorates the top of the neck, visually separating the neck from the bell-shaped lid, which has a small pine cone finial at the center of a leaf crown. The coffee pot bears a hallmark with the initials of the master, as well as a hallmark in the form of the head of Perseus - a French hallmark for exported items certifying silver of 950 purity. Conclusion: The coffee pot under study, made in the imperial style, is a fine example of the domestic culture of the European elite of the 19th century, holds potential museum interest, and thus can be a worthy and vivid exhibit in a private collection. The execution and decoration techniques of the coffee pot are consistent with the indicated dating of the item. The preservation of the piece is classified as good.